Healthy Relationships Start With You

Your childhood “village” does not just raise you, it trains you for every relationship you will ever try to build. Carlene sits down with Michael T. Brown, LPC, a licensed counselor and leadership consultant based in Virginia, to talk about how faith communities, family influence, and early belonging shape identity, purpose, and the way we connect with partners, friends, and coworkers.We get real about technology and modern dating culture too. Social media and dating apps can introduce you to people faster than ever, but Michael challenges us to remember the basics: trust, communication, presence, and people skills. If a phone stays on the table, so does emotional distance. We unpack what it looks like to “use the technology, not let the technology use you,” and why healthy relationships still demand face-to-face connection, clear boundaries, and the ability to hold an honest conversation.Then we move into mental health, therapy, and trauma healing with compassion and practicality. Michael explains why awareness is the first step toward change, why the better question is often “what happened to you,” and how counseling helps you process pain without getting stuck in it. We also explore mentors, books, and imagination as sources of hope and vision, plus the leadership mindset behind real success: goals rooted in purpose, a supportive community, and doing the heavy lifting for your own life.If you enjoy thoughtful relationship advice, counseling insights, and grounded conversations about purpose and connection, subscribe to Diva Tonight, share this episode with a friend, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show.Send us Fan MailSupport the showThanks for listening to Diva Tonight! I want to thank my Podcast Editor Sean McAndrew and my Voice Over Actor Bruce Hayward ! Thanks to Altered by Mom for sponsoring the music - I truly appreciate you!Follow Diva Tonight Podcast on social media! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DiivaontheradioInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/diivaontheradioTikTok        https://www.tiktok.com/diivaontheradioTwitter/X    https://x.com/DivaontheRadioIf you would like to connect with the show, or share a review please send an email to [email protected] or send us a Text!